The recent storms and floods in Queensland have left businesses grappling with unexpected challenges. In times like these, having a solid emergency management plan is more crucial than ever. For businesses of all sizes, ensuring financial stability is a top priority amidst the uncertainties brought by natural disasters.
What to do in an Emergency
Stay up to Date
It’s important to stay up to date with the latest information. In a flood event, the situation can change quickly. Regularly check your state emergency service website for the most up to date information about the situation and any actions you need to take.
QLD – QLD Government emergency alerts
ACT – Emergency Services incidents map
NSW – State Emergency Service community advice
SA – South Australian State Emergency Service incidents
VIC – Victoria State Emergency Service flood guides
WA – Western Australia Gov flood warnings
NT – Bureau of Meteorology weather warnings
TAS – Tasmania Alert emergency warnings
Follow Emergency Procedures
If you have a business emergency management plan, follow each step to help keep your business on track and running as smoothly as possible during unexpected disruptions. If you don’t have one, you can download a template and develop one here:
If you’ve found yourself in the midst of an event without a plan, you can follow the Business Government checklist HERE.
Seek Support
Some steps you can take to help keep your business running during emergencies and natural disasters include:
Seeking support from Government agencies to find out if you are eligible for financial assistance. (Make sure your ABN details are up to date as they will use this to check eligibility).
Research through Fair Work for pay guidelines for your employees during severe weather and natural disasters.
Seeking expert advice and/or tax support from an accountant, bookkeeper, business advisor or solicitor so you can continue to meet your business tax and super obligations.
Find support for your mental health and for your employees during a time of difficulty: eg. Lifeline, Beyond Blue, 13YARN or Suicide Call Back Service.
Find Financial Support
The level of assistance available may depend on the severity of the disaster and where you’re located. You can search the government grants and assistance page to see if there are any grants that apply to your situation.
Here are some extra resources below:
Improve your Cashflow where possible
Some ways you can do this include:
- Making an insurance claim as soon as possible. With natural disasters and other extreme weather events, there will be many people impacted and applying at the same time which can cause processing delays with your claim.
- Contact your creditors and explain your current situation. Your bank may be able to freeze your loan or offer other arrangements until your business is able to recover.
- Chase up your debtors – explain your current situation and chase up any money owing to assist in covering any costs.
Reach out to your Customers
Continue to provide the best service and support you can for your customers during this time. Communication is crucial in keeping them up-to-date on your situation and to connect to keep them supporting your business. You can do this through marketing, social media or emails if you have an emailing list.
Protect your Business
Update your policies, procedure and processes where needed to stay prepared and to protect your employees for any future events. Be wary of any scams that are targeting vulnerable people during times of difficulty to keep your business and employees safe.
Update your insurance policy if needed. Check you are covered for these events so you are prepared and have peace of mind should these events occur again in the future.
Have any questions or need support?
Contact us below!